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Ivan Hurley previews Kerry FC’s game against Wexford FC on Good Friday night at Mounthawk Park…
KERRY Football Club will host Wexford FC on Matchday 7 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division tomorrow night, with kick-off at 19:45 in Mounthawk Park.
It’s the first double game weekend of the season in the league, with the Easter Bank Holiday providing the first taste of two games in 4 days in 2024.
Before Kerry’s first visit to Dublin and UCD on Monday afternoon, Kerry have the not so small task of welcoming Wexford FC to Tralee on Good Friday.
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Conor McCarthy’s charges come into the game in a fine run of form. The win in the Munster Senior Cup semi-final has been backed up by three straight draws in the league, a feat that has never been achieved by the club before.
The most recent tie was probably the most impressive of them all, securing a point on the 828 km round trip to Finn Park in Ballybofey.
A fine defensive display, backed up by a man of the match performance from the clean sheet keeper Antonio Tuta will give McCarthy some confidence going into a busy period of matches which will have Kerry play all other nine teams in the league by next Friday night.
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Three league points has Kerry sitting in 9th place in the league ahead of Longford Town but a win depending on other results tomorrow night could promote Kerry into the play off places.
Recent performances prove the kingdom are in a stronger position to that of 2023, but the lack of a league win to date is sure to be scrubbed from the history books sooner rather than later.
Wexford FC come into the game on a mixed vein of form. Weather troubles in Ferrycarrig have resulted in the South Easterners playing two games less than Kerry to date this season.
A 3-0 defeat to Athlone on the opening day wasn’t on Wexford’s wish list while a late goal by Patrick Ferry gave Finn Harps the victory in Wexford two weeks ago.
But these results have been backed up with an impressive win against UCD in Dublin, while a late Thomas Oluwa penalty gave them a goal victory in a 4-3 goal fest win in Wicklow against Bray Wanderers.
As reported in his pre-match press conference, Conor McCarthy says there are no fresh injury concerns in the squad.
Valerii Dolia remains on the side-lines with a foot injury. Nathan Gleeson also remains unavailable with an infection. Jack Kavanagh returned to the squad last week but a small delay in his return to play may mean he misses out on the match day 20.
Ryan Kelliher is fit and ready for tomorrow night having been forced off in Donegal last time out
“They (Wexford FC) had a very good season last year,” said Conor McCarthy. “I think they lost only 1 player, they’ve retained very well along with signing one or two as well.”
“They are going to be very strong this season, I think they will be eying up the title and not backing down for anyone. It will be a tough game, the management team is good and organised and are very structured in what they do.”
“A hard team to break down but in saying that they were involved in a bit of a goal fest last week but they still came out on the right side of it. A tough side, a tough game but we are ready and looking forward to it,” concluded Conor.
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